Dispensing apparatus.



A. J. PETTERMANN & E. A. BIESACK.

msPEwsme APPARATUS.

AFPLICATJON FILED MAR 24' 1915.

1, 1 83,1 1 1 Patented May 16, I916.

Witnesses: Inventors UNITED STATES PATEN T OFFICE.

ALlgERT J. PETTERMANN AND EDWAB D A. BIESACK, 0F COVING-TON, KEHTUCKY.

DIsPENsING APPARATUS.

Application filed March 24, 1915: Serial No. 16,781.

17 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ALBERT J. PETTER- MANN and EDWARD A. BIESACK, citizens of the United States, and residents of Covington, in the county of Kenton and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dispensing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to means for holding and dispensing dry substances or commodities; and its object is to facilitate the work of dispensing or weighing out small amounts of such substances in stores, especially in grocery stores.

Our invention consists in the combination of parts and in the details of construction and arrangement of parts as will herein be more fully described and claimed.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a plan view of a device embodying our invention; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of the same; and 4 is a detail perspective View of the cutoff and its weighted manipulator.

As we prefer to construct our improved apparatus, and as showia herein, the hexagonal main body bin 1 comprises six substantially triangular compartments 2 sepa rated by" partitions 3 running radially inward from the angles of the outer walls of the hexagonal bin to a centralztube l. The lower part of the body 1 has its walls 5 inwardly and downwardly inclined to a bottom neck 6 of smaller hexagonal formation, 1

so that although the bottom of the body thus tapers, it preserves its hexagonal formation throughout. The partitions 3 continue down to the bottom 7* of the neck 6, thus maintaining each compartment 2 distinct from top to bottom of the body 1. Ex-'* tending radially along the middle of each compartment next to the bottom 7 is a channel 8 with its bottom havinga delivery slot 9 along its entire length, and sloping triangular pieces 10 run from the junction of, the lower part5 with the upper part of the main body 1 radially inward with their :lower edges joining the upper edgesof the channel 8, so that chutes are formed, delivering into these channels.

This channel 8 has its bottom substantially semi-cylindrical, interrupted only by said delivery slot 9, and within this channel 8 is! a cut-off 11 comprising a 'substantially semi-cylindrical longitudinalpart 12,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 16, 1916.

with circular outer and inner ends 13 and 1% fixed to it. This cuts-off 11, thus con structed, conforms to the substantially semicylindrical bottom of the channel 8; and axially through it passes a stem 15, which is nxed in the ends 13 and liz'so that'the cut-ofi 11 will turn with the stem. This fixing is preferably effected by making the stem 15 angulariiand making the openings in the ends 13 and 14 of corresponding shape. The rear end of the stem 15 has a bearing in a back 16 which the channel 8 is provided with some distance radially outward from the central tube 4 at the bottom, and the front end part of the stem 15 has a bearing in the front 17 of the bottom neck part 6, these bearings being circular to allow the stem 15 to turn.

Outside the front 17,: a weighted manipulator 18 is fixed on the stem in such a position that when it hangs down under the action of gravity it holds the semi-cylindrical longitudinal part 12 of the cut-off 11 down in the bottom of the channel S, closing the slot 9 so that the substances or commodity can not escape from the bin through the slot 9. WVhen this manipulator '18 is shifted.

around in either direction, it brings the semi-cylindrical part 12 around until it uncovers the slot '9. The degree of turning of this part determines the degree of opening of the slot 9 and determines the rapidity of escape of the icommodity from the particular compartment 2.

Near the middle of each upper :edge of the semi-cylindrical part 12, a substantially semi-circular notch or recess 19 is provided by means of which a restricted opening will be made at the middle part' of the slot before the full-width opening'is begun to be made; and, due to the semi-circular or flaring shape of'this recess 19, this restricted opening will gradually increase in length as well as in widthfas approach to the full length opening is made. By this means, the escape of the commodity may be very mans controlled, since this very restricted opening may be made to let out extremely small quantities of the commodity, as for 1nstancc, if such commodities as coffee or beans are dispensed, a single grain or bean may be let out. i

The body l, with the outlet means above described, has its central tube lisurrounding an upright shaft or standard'20, which is fixed in a suitable flat base 21, by means of which it may be attached to the counter or other supporting means. Collars 22 and 23 are fixed in the tube 4 near its top and near its bottom, respectively, and have ournal bearings around the upright shaft 20; and a supporting collar 24 is fixed around the shaft 20, preferablywith a suitable ballbearing 25 between it and the lower collar 23. Thus, the main body or bin 1 is rotatably supported onthis upright shaft 20, and, if the ball-bearing 25 is provided, it will rotate very easily. It is thus possible to support the main body of the bin far enough above the top of a counter to leave practically the full capacity of the top for storage or display of commodities. At the same time, by mounting the main body or bin 1 to rotate on the shaft 20 with the collars for supporting it thereon; and not having the shaft to rotate with the main body or bin; it is not necessary to mutilate the counter to any considerable extent, nor to attach the device to any other object than the counter or similar supporting means. The, flat base 21 has enough expanse over the top of the counter "or other supporting means to hold the device firmly in upright position without fastening, or merely by the insertion of a few screws through it into the supporting means; and being flat, allows practically all obstruction to be eliminated. as above noted. I

The upper end of the upright shaft 20 extends some distance above the top of the main body 1, and has fixed to it a very flat conical top 26, while the top of the main body 1 has a flange 27 extending inwardly from its sides and lapping under the periphery of the top 26, being so formed that the top 26 and this flange 27 lie very close together and yet permit the bin to rotate relative to the fixed top 25. The top 26 has an opening 28 in it, which is of approximately sector shape and of such dimensions that it communicates with any of the compartments 2 when any of these compartments is swung around under this opening. The opening is provided with a suitable lid 29 hinged radially inward; and when this lid 29 is raised, any compartment may be filled by swinging it around under the opening. This arrangement saves in expense of construction by allowing a single opening and its lid to be provided for all of the compartments 2.

The fronts of the compartments 2 preferably have transparent panels 30 to expose their contents to view.

In using the device, the scales for weighbrought over the receiving part of the scale;

whereupon, by simply rotating the cut-off 11 in either direction from its normal position as held by the weighted manipulator 18, the commodity is discharged. As before described, the rate of discharge of the commodity may bevery nicely controlled by proper manipulation of the cut-off, so that the weighing of the commodity may be more accurate than where a scoop is used in an ordinary bin and it is attempted to supply quantities of the commodity to the scale in securing accurate weight. At the same time, accessto the commodity is far more convenient than where the operator or clerk must go to any one of several different bins, some of which must be located at a dis tance from the scale; and where it is generally necessary to make more than one trip from the scale to the bin and from the bin to the scale in securing any desired weight. The use of the scoop is entirely dispensed with, and there are no loose parts to be mislaid, which occurrence is also a frequent cause ofdelay in dispensing commodities in stores. Furthermore, since the commodity is always discharged from the bottom of the bin, there is no liability of touching any of the commodity with the hands as there is in using a scoop. The commodity is kept well up from the floor so that my invention is more sanitary than the usual bins or barrels or boxes, which are generally placed near the floor. From these the commodity is taken from the top, which frequently results in a retention of a large part of the commodity in the bottom of the container; which not only is more liable to become con taminated, but must necessarily loose its freshness or even become unsanitary through deterioration; and when this lower part of. the commodity eventually is to be used it has greatly depreciated, and may even be unsalable. Thus, our invention not only affords a more sanitary means of storing and dispensing, but will frequently prevent loss through long retention and deterioration of the commodity.

Having fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to seem by Letters Patent is:

1. In dispensing apparatus, a bin, and a discharging device for said bin at the bottom thereof, comprising a channel with a substantially semi-cylindrical bottom having a longitudinal delivery slot therein, and

a cut-off consisting of a substantially semi cylindrical longitudinal part, and end parts to the longitudinal part, and a Stem fixed to the end parts and extending longitudinally of the channel, said stem and said semi-cylindrical part of the cut-off and said semi-cylindrical bottom of the channel being substantially concentric, said stem having hearings in said bin and extending outside said bin, and manipulating means fixed to said stem outside the bin, said semi-cylindrical part of the cut-oft having, in its upper edge, a recess adapted to form a restricted opening through said delivery slot during the approach to full opening in moving said semicylindrical part away from the slot.

2. In dispensing apparatus, a bin, and a discharging device for said bin at the bot tom thereof, comprising a channel with a substantially semi-cylindrical bottom having a longitudinal delivery slot therein, and a cut-ofi consisting of a substantially semicylindrical longitudinal part, and end parts to the longitudinal part, and a stem fixed to the end parts and extending longitudinally of the channel, said stem and said semi-cylindrical part of the cut-'ofi and said semi-cylindrical bottom of the channel being substantially concentric, said stem having bearings in said bin and extending outside said bin, and manipulating means fixed to said stem outside the bin, comprising a Weight so positioned relative to the semicylindrical part of the cut-off that, under the action of gravity, it holds this part over said slot in the bottom of the channel, said semi-cylindrical part of the cut-off having, in its upper edge, a recess adapted to form a restricted opening through said delivery slot during the approach to full opening in moving said semi-cylindrical part away from said slot.

3. In dispensing apparatus, a rotatable bin with a plurality of compartments therearound, discharging means for said compartments at the bottom of the bin, each comprising a channel with a substantially semi-cylindrical bottom having a longitudinal slot therein, and a cut-ofi" consisting of a substantially semi-oylindrical longitudinal part, and end parts to the longitudinal part,

and a stem fixed to the end parts and extending longitudinally of the channel, said stem and said semi-cylindrical part of the cutoii and said semi-cylindrical bottom of the channel being substantially concentric, said stem having bearings in said bin and extending outside the bin, and manipulating means fixed to said stem outside the bin, said semi-cylindrical part of the cut-off having, in its upper edge, a recess adapted to form a restricted opening through said slot during the approach to full opening in mov ing said semi-cylindrical part away from said slot, for the purposes set forth.

4. In a dispensing apparatus, a rotatable bin With a plurality of compartments therearound, discharging means for said compartments at the bottom of the bin, each comprising a channel With a substantially semi-cylindrical bottom having a longitu'dinal slot therein, and a cut-off consisting of a substantially semi-cylindrical longitudinal part, and end parts to the longitudinal part, and a stem fixed to the end parts and extending longitudinally of the channel, said stem and said semi-cylindrical part of the cut-off and said semi-cylindrical bottom of the channel being substantially conoentrio, said stem having hearings in 'said bin and extending outside the bin, and manipulating means fixed to said stem outside the bin, comprising a Weight so positioned relative to the semi-cylindrical part of the cutofi' that, under the action of gravity, it holds this part over said slot in the bottom of the channel, said semi-cylindrical part of the out-ofi' having, in its upper edge, a recess adapted to form a restricted opening through said slot during the approach to full opening in moving said semi-cylindrical part away from said slot, for the purposes set forth.

ALBERT J. PETTERMANN. ED'WARD A. BIESACK.

WVitnesses:

CLARENCE PERDEW, JAMES N. RAMSEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents. Washington. D. G. 

